Prichard mayor says animal ordinance lacks enforcement options in serious cases

Prichard Mayor Carletta Davis said the city's decades-old animal control ordinance does not provide sufficient enforcement options in serious cases, and city officials are discussing updates after a recent incident; Prichard Animal Services removed seven dogs from a property and six are under a 10-day legal hold.

Prichard Mayor Carletta Davis said city officials are reviewing the city's animal control and dangerous dog ordinances. The review followed a recent incident involving a dog that posed a safety concern for children. City leaders met with the Ordinance Committee on January 6 to discuss possible updates. The mayor said the current ordinance, written decades ago, does not provide sufficient enforcement options in serious cases. Key points: - On January 6, Mayor Carletta Davis met with the city's Ordinance Committee to review animal control and dangerous dog ordinances. - Officials said the existing ordinance was written decades ago and does not fully reflect current needs or provide sufficient enforcement options in serious cases. - Discussions included addressing dangerous dogs, improving owner accountability, strengthening penalties where appropriate, and clarifying quarantine procedures and documentation after bite incidents. - On January 4, Prichard Animal Services responded to a situation at a Jarrett Road property after notification of an active investigation by the Mobile County Sheriff's Department involving a child neglect case and assisted in removing seven dogs. - One animal was found deceased and the remaining six were transported to the shelter and placed under a mandatory 10-day legal hold; the Animal Services team was commended for its response. Summary: City officials said they intend to update ordinances to better match today's needs and to clarify the city's authority in immediate-threat situations, while ensuring quarantine procedures and documentation are clear. Proposed changes will be carefully reviewed and accompanied by public education, and officials said they will keep the public informed as the process moves forward.